Staff Reports
The tragic stabbing at a Frisco, Texas high school track meet earlier this month has not only left two families devastated but has also become a breeding ground for misinformation and online chaos. Karmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old student, was charged with murder in the death of Austin Metcalf, also 17, after a confrontation escalated fatally. Both young men were standout athletes, and the incident has rocked the local community, drawing national attention and sparking heated debate about self-defense, juvenile justice, and media narratives.
In the aftermath, the Anthony family has faced a torrent of rumors and threats. False claims have circulated widely on social media, including unfounded accusations that the family used funds from a GiveSendGo fundraiser, now totaling nearly $475,000, to buy luxury cars or a new home. These rumors have been thoroughly debunked by both the fundraising platform and the family’s advocates. GiveSendGo’s co-founder confirmed that, as of this week, the Anthony family had not withdrawn any of the funds, as the platform requires clear documentation and transparency about how donations will be used before releasing any money. The family only recently received authorization to begin the withdrawal process, and even then, the funds are intended for essential needs like relocation, security, basic living expenses, and legal defense, not extravagances.
Despite these facts, the misinformation campaign has been relentless. Both the Anthony and Metcalf families have been subjected to harassment, doxxing, and even death threats, forcing the Anthonys to take extraordinary security precautions and leading to extra police presence at Metcalf’s funeral. The spread of fake police reports, fabricated autopsy documents, and impersonated social media accounts has only inflamed tensions, making it nearly impossible for the public to discern truth from fiction. This is a textbook case of how social media mobs and reckless reporting can endanger innocent people and undermine the justice system.
Conservatives have long warned about the dangers of trial by media and the weaponization of misinformation, and this case is a glaring example. Instead of waiting for the facts to come out in court, activists and opportunists have rushed to judgment, using half-truths and outright lies to fuel outrage and division. The Anthony family’s experience underscores why due process and the presumption of innocence are cornerstones of our legal system. It’s not the job of Twitter mobs or cable news pundits to decide guilt or innocence, and it’s certainly not their place to endanger families who are already suffering.
What’s needed now is a return to common sense and personal responsibility. The court system will determine the facts and render a verdict based on evidence, not emotion or rumor. In the meantime, the media and the public must avoid spreading baseless claims and respect the privacy and safety of everyone involved. Conservatives should continue to champion the principles of due process, transparency, and the rule of law—values that are too often forgotten in today’s rush to judgment.
Ultimately, this tragedy should serve as a wake-up call about the corrosive impact of misinformation and the importance of sticking to the facts. The integrity of our justice system and the safety of our communities depend on it.
